North San Diego County community briefs: Seaside day camp offered

CARDIFF —— The city of Encinitas' Parks and Recreation
Department will operate the Seaside Day Camp from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dec. 19 through Dec. 23, and Dec. 27 through Dec. 30 at Scout
House, in Glen Park. Activities for kids ages 6 to 12 will include
arts and crafts, games, sports and field trips. For information,
call (760) 633-2740, visit the office at 505 S. Vulcan Ave. or go
to the Web site at www.EncinitasRecReg.com.

ENCINITAS —— The San Diego Blood Bank will host a blood drive from
12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at the Krispy Kreme, 260 B N. El Camino
Real. Anyone at least 17 years old, in good health and weighing at
least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate blood. For information,
call 1-800-4MY-SDBB or visit the Web site at
www.sandiegobloodbank.org.

ENCINITAS —— Making Conversation for Teens will be held from 2 to 4
p.m. Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and Feb. 12 at the Encinitas Community Center,
1140 Oakcrest Park Drive.

The seminar series will provide teens with the skills to open
doors by winning with words and make a good impression during job
or college interviews. Cost is $329 for all three sessions. For
information, call (760) 803-2641 or go to the Web site at
www.makingconversation.

ENCINITAS —— The Rancho Coastal Humane Society is seeking
volunteers for its new pet therapy program, which supports the
healing of elderly people and children with emotional and physical
challenges living in the Encinitas community. Volunteers must
submit a completed pet therapy volunteer application by Jan. 28,
which can be picked up at 389 Requeza, or call (760) 753-6413, Ext.
109.

Club starts renovation

SOLANA BEACH —— The Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito's "Share
the Dream" capital campaign began renovation of the newly named
Barbara Harper Branch and Pardee Aquatics Center, 533 Lomas Santa
Fe Drive, in December. The project is scheduled for completion in
18 months. For donation information, call (858) 755-9371 or visit
the Web site at www.bgcsdto.org/sharethedream.htm.

Bloodmobile visits Carlsbad

CARLSBAD —— The San Diego Blood Bank will accept blood donations
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 23 at Souplantation, 1860 Marron Road.
The bloodmobile will be parked in the parking lot. Anyone who is at
least 17 years old, in good health and weighs at least 110 pounds
may be eligible to give blood. For information, call 1-800-4MY-SDBB
or visit the Web site at www.sandiegobloodbank.org.

Marathon club starts training

CARLSBAD —— The San Diego Track Club —— North County starts its
third annual marathon training program Jan. 7 at Poinsettia Park.
Cost is $115 until Jan. 3, $125 at the door. For information, call
(760) 723-3257.

'Band in Black' to play

CARLSBAD —— The 'Band in Black' takes the stage from 9 p.m. to 1:15
a.m. Jan. 27 at Hennessey's Restaurant and Tavern, 2777 Roosevelt
St. The band offers a music tribute to Country Western legend
Johnny Cash. The event is free. For information, call (760)
729-6951 or visit the Web site at www.hankshow.com.

Artist wins first place

SAN DIEGO —— The San Diego Watercolor Society awarded Solana Beach
resident Martha Grim first prize in its December show. The show
continues from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays
through Jan. 7 at the group's Showcase Gallery, 2400 Kettner Blvd.
For information, call (619) 338-0502 or visit the Web site at
www.sdsw.org.

Beach clean-up crews sought

SAN DIEGO —— The California Coastal Commission and I Love A Clean
San Diego (ILACSD) are calling on volunteers of all ages to help
keep San Diego beaches clean. For information, call 1-800-237-BLUE
or visit the Web site at cleansd.org.

TV garden show airs

SAN DIEGO —— "A Growing Passion" will air at 9 p.m. Dec. 29 and
10:30 p.m. Jan. 8. on KPBS-TV, Channel 15, Cable 11. "A Growing
Passion" is a new television series hosted by local garden writer
and gardening expert Nan Sterman. The premiere episode, shot in San
Diego County, features two gardens: an art therapist's design and
landscape designer Sinjen's naturalistic Asian jungle-like
garden.

Teen talent show on tap

ESCONDIDO —— The fifth annual Teen Talent Show will be held at 6
p.m. Dec. 20 in the Turrentine Room of the Escondido Public
Library, 239 S. Kalmia St.

Author Ingrid Croce to sign books

ESCONDIDO ——Ingrid Croce, owner of Croce's Restaurant and Jazz Bar
in downtown San Diego, will sign copies of her new book, "The San
Diego Restaurant Cookbook," at 6 p.m. Dec. 22 at Vincent's
restaurant, 113 W. Grand Ave. The cookbook offers more than 260
recipes from 130 restaurants throughout San Diego County. Three
Escondido restaurants are featured in the book ——- Vincent's, 150
Grand and A Delight of France. For information, call Debra Rosen at
(760) 745-8877.

SPHS gift-wrap booth continues

ESCONDIDO —— The San Pasqual High School Music Booster holiday
gift-wrapping booth continues to offer wrapping services in front
of JC Penney at Westfield North County. The booth is open during
most mall hours and will be available through Christmas Eve.
Proceeds will go toward music programs at SPHS, which includes
instrumental, vocal, dance and pageantry.

OCD support group to meet

ESCONDIDO —— A free obsessive compulsive disorder support group for
adults will meet at 7 p.m. Dec. 26 in Escondido. Those who suffer
from OCD and their families and friends are welcome. For
information and directions, call Lori at (760) 715-7273 or visit
www.lrwalker.net.

Miss Escondido contestants sought

ESCONDIDO —— Contestants are being sought for the 2006 Miss
Escondido/Miss Teen Escondido pageants scheduled for Feb. 11 at the
California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Young women must be between the ages of 13 and 16 for the Miss
Teen pageant and 17 and 25 for the Miss Escondido Pageant.
Experience is not necessary; pageant staff will train all
participants. The pageants are based on interview, sportswear,
evening gown and community involvement.

For information, call Marie at (760) 822-6102 or Stepheni at
(760) 715-5986.

Recovery program offered

ESCONDIDO —— A recovery program to help people overcome their
hurts, habits and hangups will begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 6 at 130
Woodward Ave. For information, call Melvin Thomas at (760) 745-7732
or e-mail
mtjr@juno.com
.

Firestorm book for sale at museum

VALLEY CENTER —— "From the Ashes of Paradise: The Firestorm of
2003," a 96-page, full-color coffee table book, is being touted by
the folks at the Valley Center History Museum as a unique holiday
gift. It contains dozens of color photos, most published for the
first time, along with the first-person accounts by Valley Center
residents, many of whom lost their homes and possessions in the
blaze.

The book is available for $25 at the museum and at select
merchants in Valley Center. Proceeds will go to the nonprofit
museum and a scholarship fund established in the name of Ashleigh
Roach, who died in the fire.

Also available at the museum is a $3 booklet called "Christmas
at the Castle," a series of stories about Valley Center's old
castle on Old Castle Road; note cards; books on local history; and
T-shirts and posters featuring the museum's grizzly bear.

The museum is at 29200 Cole Grade Road. For information, call
(760) 749-2993.

Dog obedience classes offered

ESCONDIDO —— The Hidden Valley Obedience Club, a nonprofit
organization, offers eight-week dog obedience training classes
throughout the year. Classes last 45 minutes to one hour and are
held at 6 and 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the club's training
field, 3396 E. Valley Parkway. The next sessions will begin Jan. 17
and 18. Cost is $75; $50 for shelter- or rescue-adopted dogs.

A three-hour orientation for Puppy and Beginner 1 class
participants will be held Jan. 14 at the training field.

For information, visit www.hvoc.org or call (760) 599-5353.

Contest winners announced

ESCONDIDO —— The winners of the poster and essays contests held in
conjunction with the 55th annual Escondido Jaycees Christmas Parade
have been announced. The contest theme was "What Does Christmas
Mean to Me?" The winners are all students at St. Mary's School in
Escondido. They are:

Third grade, poster: Jolyon Maxilom, first place; Amy
Pawlowski, second place; and David Charos and Michaela Dea,
third-place tie.

OCEANSIDE —— Oceanside Elks Lodge 1561 will hold bingo at 1 p.m.
Sunday at 444 Country Club Lane. A free hamburger, fries and soda
will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to all who buy in. Call
(760) 433-1561.

Baseball equipment sought for hurricane victims

POWAY —— Poway High School senior Buster Mueller, varsity pitcher
for the PHS baseball team, is leading a Little League Baseball
Relief Effort for hurricane victims. Donations of new or gently
used baseball equipment and/or monetary donations are needed. For
information or to arrange for drop-off or pick-up, call (858)
486-7240.

Depression support group offered

RANCHO BERNARDO —— Hope Inc. is a group that offers faith-based
support to those who suffer from depression or have a loved one
suffering from the disorder. It meets at 8 p.m. Wednesdays at the
Church at Rancho Bernardo, 11740 Bernardo Plaza Court. New members
are welcome. For information, call Kathy Lutes at (858) 484-5172 or
e-mail
kfrances@hotmail.com
.

POWAY —— The city's fire department offers Heartsaver CPR classes
from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of each
month. In addition to adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation,
instruction will be given on how to reduce the risk of heart
disease, how to assist choking victims and how to recognize the
early warning signs of a heart attack. Hands-on skills are
practiced on lifelike mannequins.

This is a certified class, and upon completion, a two-year card
will be mailed to participants. The last two hours of the class are
optional and cover CPR for infants and children. Class size is
limited to 12 students. A $20 course fee paid in advance is
required. The fee is $10 for those ages 55 and older. Each
participant will receive a manual and pocket mask. Classes are held
in the fire station classroom at 13050 Community Road.

The next classes are scheduled for Jan. 7 and 21 and Feb. 4.

To register, call the Poway Fire Department at (858)
668-4460.

Library to host puppet show

SAN MARCOS —— A holiday puppet show featuring Tom Jensen and his
marionettes will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 21 at the San Marcos
branch of the San Diego County Library, 2 Civic Center Drive. For
information, call (760) 891-3000.

Boys & Girls Club offers day camps

SAN MARCOS —— The Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos will offer
day camps from Dec. 19 through Jan. 6. Cost for club membership is
$40 per year; weekly day camp fees vary. For information, call Lana
Brackin, site supervisor, at (760) 471-0788, or Kara Alaimo, branch
director, at (760) 471-2490, Ext. 113.

Miss San Marcos contestants sought

SAN MARCOS —— Contestants are being sought for the 2006 Miss San
Marcos Pageant to be held Feb. 18 in the Hearth Theatre at the San
Marcos Community Center, 3 Civic Center Drive.

Young women ages 17 to 22 who are in high school or have
graduated and are San Marcos residents are eligible to enter. The
winner of the pageant will serve as an ambassador for the city for
the coming year. Prizes, including scholarships, and gifts will be
awarded to the queen and her court courtesy of the community.

Along with the queen, two runners-up will be selected by the
judging panel. The current Miss San Marcos, Molly Lindhart, will be
on hand to welcome the new queen and her court.

The deadline to enter is Jan. 11. Applications are available
through the Community Services office at 3 Civic Center Drive in
the Civic Center complex.

For information, call Jennifer Selby at (760) 744-9000, Ext.
3506.

World Affairs Council to meet

RANCHO BERNARDO —— The World Affairs Council, North County chapter,
meets at 10 a.m. Thursdays in the second-floor meeting room at the
Remington Club Phase II, 16916 Hierba Drive.

Margie Cohn, a professor at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law
and vice president of the National Lawyers Guild, will be the guest
speaker at the Dec. 22 meeting. She will speak on the topic "U.S.
Nuclear Policy: A History of Hypocrisy." The group will not meet
Dec. 29.

SAN DIEGO —— The Salvation Army will hold a free community
Christmas dinner at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 25 at Civic Center, Golden
Hall, 202 C St. All are welcome, however, seating is limited.

Contestants sought for Rodeo Queens Pageant

RAMONA —— Applications are being accepted for the annual Ramona
Rodeo Queens Pageant. Young women ages 8 to 22 who live in San
Diego County will have the opportunity to compete for the titles of
Queen (ages 17 to 22), Jr. Queen (ages 14 to 16), Young Miss (ages
11 to 13) and Little Miss (ages 8 to 10). The deadline for
applications is Jan. 8.

Contestants will be judged on horsemanship, rodeo and equine
knowledge, personal interview, speech and appearance. Starting Jan.
10, contestants will attend a weekly clinic to help them prepare
for the competition. The Ramona Rodeo Sr. Queen will have the
opportunity to represent Ramona in the Miss Rodeo California
Pageant. Kayla Spurlock of Ramona is the reigning Miss Rodeo
California and will compete for the title of Miss Rodeo America at
the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

For information or an application, visit www.ramonarodeo.com or
call Jeanne Pyeatt at (760) 789-7022.

Bloodmobile to visit Oceanside

OCEANSIDE —— The San Diego Blood Bank bloodmobile will accept
donations at the following Oceanside locations:

Donors awarded a limited edition San Diego Blood Bank "do it for
the doughnut" T-shirt; and a voucher for a free whale watching trip
donated by Helgren's Oceanside Sportfishing and Islandia
Sportfishing. Donors at HomeTown Buffet will be awarded a free meal
on the day of the drive.

Due to rising fuel costs, there will be a $5 surcharge per
person. Donors also will receive a medical history review and mini
physical, which includes blood pressure, pulse and temperature
checks.

Anyone who is at least 17 years old, in good health and weighs
at least 110 pounds may be eligible to give blood. A good meal is
recommended prior to donation. Call (800) 4MY-SDBB or visit
www.sandiegobloodbank.org.

City hosts annual toy drive

OCEANSIDE —— City of Oceanside employees are hosting their annual
Holiday Toy Drive to assist needy children during this holiday
season. Donations of unwrapped toys can be dropped off through Dec.
21 at the following locations.

VISTA —— Buena Vista Hadassah will meet for a pre-Hanukkah
celebration at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Vista Library, 700
Eucalyptus Ave. Refreshments will be served and husbands and guests
are welcome. Singer and musician Charles Sebastion will lead a
sing-along of popular songs from Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and
other well-known stars.

Parental control information offered

VISTA —— Data Doctors Computer Services, new to the San Diego area,
will hold two free Parental Control Information Sessions for
parents at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21. The sessions will teach parents
how to optimize the computers their children use in order to keep
them safe while on the Internet. Parents can visit
www.datadoctors.com/parents for more information about the free
community service program and to download Data Doctors Safe Surfing
Guide about children and Internet safety. Call (800) 486-0048, Ext.
234.

St. Francis holds holiday carols

VISTA —— A Service of Lessons and Carols will be presented as part
of the ongoing concert series at 7 p.m. Dec. 23 at St. Francis
Catholic Church, 525 W. Vista Way. Directed and accompanied by
Aaron Goen, the Schola San Francisco will sing selections that
reflect on each of the traditional nine Scripture readings.
Admission is free and a free-will offering will be taken to benefit
the music ministry budget for 2006. Call (760) 414-1403.

Souplantation to host bloodmobile

VISTA —— The San Diego Blood Bank will accept donations at a drive
hosted by Souplantion from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 23 at 1860
University Drive. The bloodmobile will be parked in the parking
lot.

All donors at this drive will be awarded a free meal pass,
courtesy of Souplantation; a limited edition San Diego Blood Bank
"do it for the doughnut" T-shirt; and a voucher for a free whale
watching trip donated by Helgren's Oceanside Sportfishing and
Islandia Sportfishing. Due to rising fuel costs, there will be a $5
surcharge per person. Donors also will receive a medical history
review and mini physical, which includes blood pressure, pulse and
temperature checks.

Anyone who is at least 17 years old, in good health and weighs
at least 110 pounds may be eligible to give blood. A good meal is
recommended prior to donation. Call (800) 4MY-SDBB or visit
www.sandiegobloodbank.org.

Palomar Woodcarvers to meet

VISTA —— Palomar Woodcarver Group 10 meets from 9 to 11 a.m.
Wednesdays at Arcadia Place Retirement Home, 1080 Arcadia Ave. To
enable younger members to join, the group also meets from 7 to 9
p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Anyone with a desire to
learn the craft is welcome. Experience is not necessary as the
group is happy to teach and guide. Call Wendel Fager at (760)
591-1277.